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Discovered in 1797 by Vauquelin, who prepared the metal the next year, chromium is a steel-gray, lustrous, hard metal that takes a high polish.The principal ore is chromite (FeCr2O4), which is found in Zimbabwe, Russia, Transvaal, Turkey, Iran, Albania, Finland, Democratic Republic ofMadagascar, and the Philippines. The metal is usually produced by reducing the oxide with aluminum. Chromium is used to harden steel, tomanufacture stainless steel, and to form many useful alloys. Much is used in plating to produce a hard, beautiful surface and to prevent corrosion.Chromium is used to give glass an emerald green color. It finds wide use as a catalyst. All compounds of chromium are colored; the most importantare the chromates of sodium and potassium (K2CrO4) and the dichromates (K2Cr2O7) and the potassium and ammonium chrome alums, as KCr(SO4)2· 12H2O. The dichromates are used as oxidizing agents in quantitative analysis, also in tanning leather. Other compounds are of industrial value; leadchromate is chrome yellow, a valued pigment. Chromium compounds are used in the textile industry as mordants, and by the aircraft and other industriesfor anodizing aluminum. The refractory industry has found chromite useful for forming bricks and shapes, as it has a high melting point, moderatethermal expansion, and stability of crystalline structure. Many chromium compounds are toxic and should be handled with proper safeguards. Naturalchromium contains four isotopes. Sixteen other isotopes are known. Chromium metal (99.99%) costs about $200/kg. Commercial grade chromium(99%) costs about $75/kg. 1

•&nbsp"Stainless steels show high tensile strength and excellent resistance to corrosion. The most common kind contains 14-18% chromium and 7-9% nickel." 2
•&nbsp"insulin action…believed to promote the action of insulin and thus influences the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins." 3

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